IAS officer’s derogatory remarks at woman colleague sparks outrage

A video showing senior IAS officer Kumar Rajiv Ranjan allegedly using derogatory language against a woman officer during an official meeting has triggered outrage in Kashmir, with political leaders demanding action against him.

The video, which has circulated on social media, is from an October 14 review meeting on Mission YUVA chaired by Ranjan, the Administrative Secretary for Labour and Employment. Among those attending virtually was Beenish Wani, a Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) officer and Assistant Director in the department.

The exchange took place during a discussion on the role of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) in implementing the programme. Ranjan questioned why the department needed NRLM’s assistance, prompting Wani to respond that the mission was a supporting agency and that her team had met its target.

Ranjan was then heard making a derogatory remark against Wani. When she objected to his language, he allegedly directed another officer to prepare her suspension order. Wani replied that he could suspend her, after which Ranjan repeatedly told her to leave the meeting.

Wani later told The Indian Express that the incident was “very unfortunate” on Ranjan’s part.

National Conference leader and Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah criticised Ranjan’s conduct, saying he had threatened a woman’s career because she asked to finish speaking. Tagging Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the chief secretary, Ruhullah warned against any action against Wani for standing up for her dignity.

PDP leader Iltija Mufti also called for Ranjan’s immediate suspension and urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Sinha to intervene. She alleged that local officers were being undermined in the administration and police.

PDP leader and Pulwama MLA Waheed Para described the incident as deeply unfortunate, saying the treatment of a woman officer raised concerns about how ordinary citizens might be treated.

Abdullah later said he had taken up the matter with the chief secretary, adding that control over IAS officers in the Union Territory rested with Lok Bhavan. He directed the chief secretary to ensure that Wani did not face retaliatory action.

Ranjan, a 2010-batch IAS officer, was suspended in 2020 after being arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with an alleged arms licence scam. The CBI also registered a case against him and his family members last year over allegations of possessing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.